Hi all i own a 1979 f150 4x4... Ive had it about a year now and it has always had a problem starting first thing in the morning... It would start up and as soon as Id throw it in gear it would just die out but after warming up it would be good to go for the day. Figured it was a fuel problem but last week i drove it somewhere, and turned it off.. When I returned to leave the truck would not start and all I hear now is a single click. My lights and radio still come on and I did try to jump it.. Im guessing it has something to do with the starter. Any suggestions?... Im not the most mechanically inclined person.. Might end up bringing it to the shop and paying an arm and a leg for something I could fix for $50.... figured Id give the forums a shot first...
Thanks.

 

Sounds like you're describing 2 different issues...

The dying-out after starting could be a vacuum leak somewhere or the choke isn't working on the carburetor... That would be my guess, anyway...

The other issue could be bad starter, bad starter solenoid, or bad battery. Have you had the battery tested?

 

i havent had the battery tested but the battery is only a few months old... the truck sat for a while while i was in iraq and the battery died.... I guess Ill probably end up getting it towed to the mechanic to have em look at it... thanks for the reply

 

I had a 96 F150 that had an issue with the starter. I would turn the key and it would click. It got progressively worse until I replaced it.

Temporary fix was to gentley tap the starter housing with a hammer. The bendix was stuck, so a few taps would get it out of the bind and it would fire right up.

 

im so truck stupid i dont even know where my starter is.. i do know that when i turn the key the click is coming from a small box mounted near the battery... the battery cables are also connected to this very small box that has the clicking noise when i turn the key...

 

That would be the starter solenoid. You may be on the right track about the starter.

 

do starter sylinoids come pretty cheap usually?... That looks like something that I may be able to take out easily and replace myself before I go and have the starter replaced correct?....

 

If it's clicking, it's probably fine... One of the wires from the solenoid runs down and connects to the starter - it could be that the connection on the starter end is corroded or something and just needs to be cleaned - that can be done easily enough...

The starter is held on with 2 bolts plus the nut for the starter wire - It's an easy thing to pull out and replace. A bit heavy though, so make sure it doesn't fall on your head...

 

Also clean the negative battery cable (black one) on the battery post and where it bolts to the block. Another thing you could try is to take the boot off of the "I" terminal on the solenoid and clean the post and inside of the boot and make sure you have a tight connection.